After back-to-back seasons of consistency and jaw-dropping defensive saves, Alessio Romagnoli has found himself on the radar of clubs around Europe. According to The Sun, Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United have expressed interest. In addition to those two, it is said that Real Madrid has been keeping tabs on him. In Italy, outlets have claimed that Juventus may be keen.
Amid these transfer rumours, those at Milan feel no sense of urgency or worry. The Rossoneri hierarchy deems Romagnoli as untouchable.
Alessio Romagnoli Will Not Leave AC Milan This Summer
Financial Stability
AC Milan are financially stable after this summer’s takeover by Elliott Management Corporation. Gone are the days of former Chief Executive Officer Adriano Galliani’s quotes of, “we must sell in order to buy,” and the mess that was the Chinese takeover. Elliott has Milan on recovering terms with UEFA, so there are no pressing financial issues.
The club casually spent over €75 million in January and didn’t bat an eye. The two purchases in Lucas Paqueta and Krzysztof Piątek are already paying off and are far from busts. With shrewd moves in the boardroom and transfer market, Milan are in good hands.
Leadership
Paolo Maldini
‘Milan DNA’ is something Milan fans believed the team had been lacking over previous years. It started to diminish in the final years of owner Silvio Berlusconi and completely diminished under Li Yonghong. The dedication and passion for the badge on the shirt will always be a driving force for a successful team.
The club is now flooded with ‘Milan DNA’. For starters, the most iconic player in the team’s history, Paolo Maldini, was hired as the Sporting Strategy & Development Director. Maldini is an idol across the footballing sphere as one of the greatest to ever play the game. Like Maldini, Romagnoli is a defender and captain for the Rossoneri. At such a young age playing under one of his idols, it’s hard to see Romagnoli leaving.
Leonardo Araújo
After Maldini, there is Leonardo Araújo. Leonardo is a former player, manager, and executive of Milan. After leaving for Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, Leonardo is back as the sporting director of Milan. His loyalty to the club is nowhere near comparable to that of Maldini, but his track record of success in the executive stage of his career speaks for itself. With Milan playing their best football in years and Leonardo leading the charge in the transfer market, the Rossoneri should only continue to get better.
Of course, there is still manager Gennaro Gattuso. The former midfield star debuted for Milan in 1999 and did not leave until 2012. He left an incredible legacy at the club and is now the first team manager. Gattuso bleeds red and black, and is much more than just ‘grinta’. He’s been becoming a wiser manager week after week, and is establishing himself as a top manager in Serie A. Furthermore, Gattuso would have not elected Romagnoli captain of Milan if he had the slightest doubt in Romagnoli’s commitment.
The Last Word
It’s been a long time coming, but Milan find themselves on the path to qualify for Champions League. After sitting at fourth place for a few weeks in Serie A, they are now threatening Inter Milan for third place.
According to Calciomercato, Romagnoli constantly reaffirms his commitment to the Rossoneri. He wants to be a catalyst in their return to the Champions League. He’s also had the chance to leave before during darker times in Milan, to clubs such as the Antonio Conte lead Chelsea, but opted to stay in Italy.
Yes, Milan have been down in recent years. With competent ownership, a star-studded board, and a team playing flowing football, however, they have become buyers and not sellers. Romagnoli is the captain and soul of the team, and he has no intentions of abandoning what he has helped build.
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